Illuminating apparatus



March 12, 1968 G. K. c. HARDESTY ILLUMINATING APPARATUS Filed July 12,1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l `Elf/drill R m N E V m George K. C.-Hc|rdes1yATTORNEYS March l2, 1968 G, K. cv.`|-|ARDESTY 3,372,504

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed July l2, 1965 FIG 1441.- Hl. l inrit.. Hull.

l 'm/vErs/Tof?` George K C. Hqrdesty Fl G. e..

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Utilice 3,372,504 ILLUMINATING APPARATUSGeorge K. C. Hardesty, R0. Box 155, Mayo, Md. 21106 Continuation-impartof application Ser. No. 245,720, Dec. 19, 1962. This application July12, 1965, Ser. No. 471,019

Claims. (Cl. 40-130) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLGSURE An illuminated displaydevice is provided in which the obverse surface comprises a lightconducting panel overlying the obverse side of a first reflector plate;and in which -there is included a second reflector plate in spacedopposition with the first reflector plate; third reflector platesoverlying either one edge or opposing edges of the light conductingpanel and bridging the space between the first and second reflectorplates; la light source between the first and second reflector elements,light from the source being injected into the light conducting panel bythe third reflector plates; and radiant means such as indicia at theobverse side of the rst reflector plate, receiving the light transmittedthrough the light conducting panel from the edge or edges thereof anddirecting the light outwardly through the obverse surface of the displaydevice; and in which the light source is completely enclosed between theareflector plates to provide complete concealment of the light source. Achangeable transmittance band light source is also provided incooperation with selectively photoresponsive indicia at the obverse faceof the first reflector plate in another embodiment of the invention.

This invention relates to illuminating apparatus and more specificallyto new and novel electric lighting devices embodying uniformlyilluminated light-emitting panels for the display of indicia and otherpurposes of illumination.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSer. No. 245,720, for Illuminating Apparatus, filed Dec. 19, 1962, nowabandoned.

It is an object of this invention to provide new and novel lightingdevices embodying a light-emitting surface characterized by itsbrilliance, relatively uniform illumination, simplicity and low cost.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel lightingdevice embodying a panel radiator and wherein the light source means forilluminating said radiator is completely concealed from view andoptically coupled to the panel to effect optimized light transfer fromthe source means to the panel radiator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel lightingmeans having twenty-four-hour-per-day effectiveness in the display ofindicia, thus providing effective visual color and luminance contrastunder conditions of external daylight, dawn, twilight, and darkness in apractical device of widely versatile, pleasing decor.

Another object of this kinvention is to provide a new and novel lightingdevice for the illuminated display of indicia and the like that iscompact, affords a relatively high degree of brilliance for uniformlyilluminating such indicia and in addition provides other speciallighting effects.

Still another object of this invention is to provide new and novelchangeable color means for lighting devices.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novellighting device comprising a panel radiator, light source means forilluminating said panel radiator, the said source means being completelyconcealed from the obverse surface of the lighting device and panelradi- Patented Mar. 12, 1968 ator and optically coupled to the panel toeffect optimized light transfer from the source means to the panelradiator, and changeable color means cooperating with said light sourceto modulate the visible radiant energy emanated from said panelradiator.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide new and novelilluminated indicia display means which is highly eflicient, of apractical size, exhibits uniform brilliance of illumination, is readilyfabricated and requires an optimally minimum amount of normal, simplemaintenance.

This and other objects of this invention will become more fully apparentwith reference to the following specillcation and drawings, which relateto several preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an illuminated display type lightingdevice of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section taken .along line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is another embodiment of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective of a color changing means of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view in partial cross section of the embodimentof FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional perspective of an illuminated lightingdevice embodying a color changing means; land FIGURE 7 is across-sectional perspective of a multiple purpose lighting device of thepresent invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGURES l and2, a lighting device 10 of the present invention is shown as includingan obverse surface 12, comprising the external surface of a transparentlight 14, mounted in a five-sided housing or hollow framing means 16.

The rear side 18 of the housing 16 comprises a rectangular backing platedeformed outwardly across its longitudinal axis to form la shallowV-shape in cross-section, the apex 20, as shown in FIGURES l and 2,running coextensively with the longitudinal axis of the lighting means10.

The peripheral configuration of the housing 15 along the horizontal sideportions of the lighting means 10 comprises inwardly opening, upper andlower, V-shaped channels 22 and` 24, respectively, having the interiorsurfaces thereof as continuations of the interior surface of the backingplate 18. The channels 22 and 24 may be integrally formed with thebacking plate 18 if desired. Substantially the entire interior surfaceof the backing plate 18 and channels 22 and 24 comprises a complex lightreflector generally referenced 26 in FIGURE 2. Each reflective portionof the reflector 26, because of the respective V-shaped configurationsthereof may alternatively be described as concave reflective means.

A light source 2S comprising, for example, first and second elongatedfluorescent lamp tubes 30 and 32, respectively, is mounted substantiallycoextensively with the apex 20 interiorly of the backing plate 1S, suchthat a substantially uniform line shaped light source is effected. Thelamp tubes 30 and 32 are horizontally racked in a suitable support means34.

The structure of the lighting means 10 is substantially completed by theinclusion of an opaque plate 36, coextensive with the inner face of thetransparent light 14, the said plate 36 having an internal reflectingface 38 adjacent the light source 28 and facing the reflector face 26 ofthe backing plate 18. Thus, the light source 28 is enclosed in aninternally reflective cavity.

The obverse surface 40 of the opaque plate 35 is adapted either to carryindicia d2 in any form suitable to reflect or radiate light outwardlythrough the light 14, as will be hereinafter more fully described, ormay be provided with surface characteristics such that its entireobverse surface 4t) will reflect or radiate light outwardly through thelight 14 to contrast with indicia 42A placed on the obverse surface 12of the latter. As will be hereinafter more fully described, there aresome instances where this surface or the indicia thereon areadvantageously made of glass beads or other material having pronouncedretro-reflective properties. In general, the surface 40 is insuperficial but not optical contact with the reverse surface of light14.

The reflecting cavity around the light source 28 is sealed off at theends of the lighting means by conforming end caps 44, as illustrated inFIGURE 1. One of the end caps 44 may be formed integrally with a wallbracket 46 or the like for the purpose of mounting the lighting means 10on a wall or the like.

The transparent light 14 has a substantial thickness of a magnitude suchthat light reflected from the inner surfaces of the V-shaped channels 22and 24 may be directed into the top and bottom edges 48 and 50,respectively, as shown in FIGURE 2, thereby effecting an edge lightingeffect, transversely illuminating the reverse surface or indicia on thereverse surface of light 14 and is to be hereinafter more fullydescribed.

Referring next to FIGURE 3, wherein like parts to FIGURES 1 and 2 bearlike reference characters, a lighting means 10A is shown wherein thetransparent light 14 comprises an inner layer 14A and an outer layer14B, the said layers being juxtaposed and coextensive in the embodimentshown. The layers 14A and 14B are both transparent but are provided withrespectively selected light transmittance characteristics as will behereinafter more fully described.

With reference now to FIGURES 4 and 5, a color changing illuminationsource 28A for lighting means of the present invention is shown asincluding an opaque rectangular housing 52 having upper and lowerrectangular emission slots 54 and 56, respectively, in the upper andlower walls thereof. The said emission slots 54 and 56 are set atrespectively opposite but equal acute angles with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the housing 52.

A rear compartment 58 in the housing 52 encloses a drive motor 60, lampballast 62, and a spring loaded tension means 64 all mounted on an innerwall 66 of the compartment 58.

The motor 60 includes an output drive 68 passing through the wall 66 andmounting a drive pulley or drum 70 within the housing 52 at one endthereof.

The tension means `64 includes an anchor pin 72, on the wall 66, pivotpin 74 on the wall 66, rocker arm 76 pivoted intermediate its ends onthe pivot pin 74, tension spring 78 connected from the anchor pin 74 toone end of the rocker arm 76 and a bushing 80 at the other end of therocker arm 76. The bushing 80 mounts the axle 82 of an idler pulley ordrum 84, the said axle extending through the wall 66 to mount the drum84 within the housing 52 at the opposite end thereof from the drive drum70. The axes of rotation of the drums 70 and 84 are parallel.

The fluorescent lamp A of a length at least that of the emission slots54 and 56 is mounted in suitable socket means 34A on the wall 66 betweenthe two drums 70 and 84.

The drums 70 and 84 mount an endless belt 86 which passes between boththe upper and lower sides of the fluorescent lamp 30A and the upper andlower emission slots 54 and 56, respectively.

On the belt 86 are a plurality of continuous bands 86A, 86B 86N (N beingequal to the number of color or transmittance changes desired) ofselectively varied light transmittance properties having a skeweddisposition on the endless belt 86 of the same pitch as the emissionslots 54 and 56, such that as the belt 86 travels over the drums 7() and84, the bands 86A 86N will be travelling transversely of the emissionslots 54 and 56 in parallel disposition therewith.

The belt 86 is composed of Mylar polyester film or the like with thecolor bands 86A 86N comprising printed color tones, opaque aluminizedstripes to prevent heat absorption, and other desired media of varioustransmittance characteristics.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, the color changing light source 23A, absentthe chamber 58, is shown as included in a lighting means 10B of the typedisclosed in conjunction with either of FIGURES 2 or 3 herein, in placeof the light source 28. Like parts to those of FIGURES l, 2, 3, 4 and 5bear like reference characters.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, a lighting means 10C, generally similar tothose in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, is shown as including a plurality oflouvres or slots 88 in that portion of the backing plate 18C thereofbelow the source 2SC. The upper and lower channels 22C and 24C,respectively, of FIGURE 7 and the backing plate 18C thereof need not besymmetrically positioned above and below the source 28C but the effectof the structure on the light emitted from the lamp 30C is unchangedinsofar as the indicia to be displayed are concerned.

OPERATION Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the operation of the embodimentsshown therein will now be described.

`Principal indicia y42 in edge-lighted communication with lighting means28 are preferably of a colored photoluminescent Day-Glo material,capable in this embodiment of also being excited to glow by externaldaylight as well as from source 28. Alternatively, indicia 42x may be ofDay- Glo material to accentuate daylight presentations without aid ofsource 28 while indicia 42 are colored opaque materials edge illuminatedto effect a useful and pleasing presentation at night.

The entire obverse surface 40 of the opaque plate 36, or indicia 42xthereon may be selectively provided with surface characteristics suchthat the reflection or radiation of light outward through thetransparent light 14 is of a selected greater brilliance than theradiation from either sulface of light 14 or edgelighted indicia 42under some conditions of external illumination but will be of lesserbrilliance and enhance color and luminance contrasts under otherconditions of viewing.

For example, assuming energization of the light source 28 in the visiblespectrum, the complex reflector 26 will cause light to be generallydirected through the edges 48 and 50 of the light 14 transversely of thereverse surface of light 14. Inasmuch as surface -40 is not in opticallysignificant contact with light 14, it may be of any material of pleasingaesthetic contrast with the indicia 42 or 42A without adverse effect onthe brightness of these indicia. It is of' marked value however, ininformational and warning applications to employ crinkled reflective, orglass bead retro-reflective materials for surface 40 so that there areorders of magnitude increases in the brilliance of light energyreflected through the light 14 when viewed from the obverse surface 12when lighting means 10 is ilhlminated by automobile headlights or marinesearchlig ts.

If external indicia `42A are to be utilized on the light 14, then therise of relatively opaque materials for the indicia `42A and a highlyspecular reflective characteristic for the obverse surface 40 of theopaque plate 36 provides a spectacular halo image surrounding eachindicia 42A as viewed against the mirror-like background. The reversesurfaces of indicia 42A (that are in optical contact with light 14) canbe formulated to accentuate these luminous images. Thus, as can bereadily seen, a versatile illuminated display panel is provided whereinthe light source is completely self-contained and invisible to theobserver, yet twenty-four-hour-a-day eflicacy of display is obtained ina practical package.

Also, in the embodiment of FIGURE 2, the lamps 30 and 32 in the source28 may be of respectively different spectral characteristics and beselectively switched or cycled to thereby provide multiple color effectson indicia 42 as observable through the obverse surface 12 of thelighting means 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, multi-color as well as three-dimensionaleffects are provided by the embodiment shown therein.

For example, if the source 28 is comprised of fluorescent lamps 30 and32, having a substantial amount of near ultraviolet and blue light inthe emission spectra thereof, the inner layer 14A is comprised of anoptical transparent material having a spectral bandwidth including thenear ultra-violet and visible blue portions of the spectrum, the outerlayer 14B is comprised of a sharp cut-off optical filter material withrespect to short wave length ultraviolet and may have supplemental nearultra-violet and blue absorbing coatings (not shown) at 50x and Sfly.The indicia 42 are comprised of a photoluminescent material which isexcited into luminance by near ultra-violet and blue light.

Consequently, when viewed under cover of darkness while the source 28 isenergized, the indicia 42 photoluminesce brilliantly because of thetransverse excitation of the reverse surface of inner layer 14A by theblue and near ultra-violent light and radiate light out through theouter layer 14B. Essentially, all of the resulting visible light istransmitted by layer 14B. When irradiated by sunlight, however, theshort ultra-violet absorbing properties of the layer 14B protect theindicia `42 from the deleterious effects of short wave length excitationwhile transmitting substantially unimpeded the near ultra-violet andblue essential to photo-excitation of indicia 42 and 42B. Optionally,layer 14B can be a minus visible blue and ultra-violet optical filterand protect the photoluminescent indicia from all daylight excitation.

An additional special three-dimensional effect is obtained by providingthe lamp 30 with near ultraviolet and visible blue emissioncharacteristics, providing the lamp 32 with some other visible coloremission characteristics and utilizing photoluminescent and optionallyreflective indicia 42 on the reverse surface of layer 14A and reflectiveindicia 42B on the reverse surface of layer 14B. Now by selectivelyswitching the lamps 30 and 32 into alternate illumination, a changeableexhibitor is effected wherein the photoluminescent and the reflectiveportions of the indicia 42 and 42B are alternately illuminated,respectively, creating a three-dimensional changing depth display.Alternai tively, layer 14A may have both photoluminescent and otherindicia to produce changing location or changing size illusions as lamps30 and 32 are switched.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5, the operation of the color changingmeans shown therein is as follows:

Assuming illumination of the fluorescent lamp 30A and energization ofthe drive motor 60, the endless belt 85 will be constrained to travelaround the drive and idler drums 70 and 84, respectively, causing thecolor bands 86A 86N to be displaced and laterally traverse the upper andlower emission slots 514 and 56, respectively, like color bands 86A 86Ntraversing the said slots S4 and 56 simultaneously. Thus, light ofvarying color is emitted through the emission slots 54 and 56 in asequence determined by the disposition of the color bands 86A 86N on thebelt 86.

Additionally, more than one color or transmittance characteristic may beimparted to a given one of the color bands 86A 86N to provide specialeffects in illumination. For example, referring to FIGURE 6, assume thelamp 30A to be a fluorescent lamp, naturally rich in ultraviolet andblue light emission and further assume that the lighting means 10B isotherwise similar to the lighting means 10A of FIGURE 3 whereinphotoluminescent and types of indicia 42 are present on light 14, theendless belt 86 is provided with a plurality of color bands includingbands having high ultra-violet and blue transmittance and low oressentially opaque ultra-violet and blue characteristics, respectively.Then, inasmuch as the light 14 has in this instance been selected tohave high transmittance with respect to both blue and ultra-violetlight, the changeable exhibitor effects of the embodiment of FIGURE 3are readily achieved as the belt 86 alternately transmits ultra-violetand blue light and then the remainder of the visible spectrum into thecavity defined by the reflector 26. As in FIGURE 2, further indicia 42Bon surface 40 may be provided to give visual color or luminance contrastwhen the lighting means is viewed with aid of external light.

As another example, the belt 86 may be provided with a set of ordinarycolor tones in the color bands 86 SN and be utilized with the lightingmeans 10B being identical with the lighting means 10 of FIGURE 2,thereby achieving color changing effects in the reflux lighting means ofthe present invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, the lighting means 10c shown therein may beof the type disclosed in FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 6 or of the modified shapeshown wherein the upper channel 22C is broadened and brought downwardinto closer proximity with the surface 28C.

In either event, a controlled portion of the flood of illuminationemitted by the lamp 30C is permitted to escape through the louvres orslots 88 to provide conventional external illumination while theremainder is efliciently utilized in providing the illuminationpreviously described herein for the display of indicia.

As can be readily seen from the foregoing specification and drawings,this invention provides a lighting means of optimized structuralsimplicity and optimized versatility in special and conventionallighting effects and/or combinations thereof.

The graphic display panel and lighting means can be readily used asthin-profile wall or post mounted twentyfour hour a day informationaland directional signs with reliance on the unique combinations ofreflective and radiational effects provided at the obverse surfacethereof for aesthetic and attention enhancing purposes. Additionally,with the louvred casings of present invention, conventional exit andother directional signs which provide down-wash lighting effects may bemounted above doorways, in corridors and the like.

It is to be understood that the several embodiments shown and describedherein are examplary and are not intended to limit the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Illuminating apparatus comprising a pair of platelike reflectors eachhaving a light reflecting surface on at least one side thereof, saidreflectors being positioned in spaced relationship with said reflectingsurfaces facing one another, a light source disposed between saidreflectors, a light conducting panel carried on the outer side of and inoverlying relationship to at least one of said reflectors and having anarea at least coextensive with the area of the associated reflector, andlight directing means optically coupled with at least one edge of saidlight conducting panel and with said light source for injecting lightfrom said source into said light conducting panel.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said light directing meanscomprises a reflector adjoining one set of corresponding edges of saidreflectors and overlying the adjoining edge of said light conductingpanel for receiving light from said source and directing it into saidlight conducting panel.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said light source compriseselongated lamp means uniformly mounted with respect to said reflectors.

4. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said light source comprisesan elongated housing having emission aperture means therein, saidhousing being uniformly mounted with respect to said reflectors,elongated lamp means in said housing coextensive with said emissionaperture means, endless belt means intermediate said lamp means and saidemission aperture means within said housing, and drive means mountingand adapted to effect translation of said belt means with respect tosaid emission aperture means, said belt means being comprised of aplurality of symmetrically disposed adjacent transmittance bands ofmaterials having respectively selected spectral transmittancecharacteristics, said transmittance bands and said emission aperturemeans being mutually parallel and being disposed askew of the axis oftranslation of the said endless belt means.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said light source comprisesa plurality of elongated lamp means uniformly mounted with respect tosaid reflectors, said lamp means having respectively predeterminedspectral emission characteristics and being adapted to be selectivelyenergized.

6. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein one of said reflectingelements includes a plurality of open apertures selectively directinglight from said source externally of said illuminating means.

7. Illuminating apparatus comprising a pair of platelike reflectingelements each having a reflecting surface on at least one side thereof,said elements being positioned in spaced relationship with thereflecting surfaces facing one another, a light source disposed betweensaid reflecting elements, a light conducting panel on the outer side ofand in overlying relationship with and at least coextensive with atleast one reflecting element, reflectors overlying each of a pair ofopposing edges of said reflecting elements and said light conductingpanel to close the space between said reflecting elements and to receiveand direct light from said light source into said opposing edges of saidlight conducting panel, radiant means at the obverse side of said onereflecting element receiving light transmitted by said light-conductingpanel and directing it outwardly thereof, and end members overlying theother set of opposing edges of said reflecting elements and lightconducting panel effecting complete concealment of said light source.

8. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said light source compriseselongated lamp means uniformly mounted with respect to said reflectors.

9. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said light source comprisesan elongated housing having emission aperture means therein, saidhousing being uniformly mounted with respect to said reflectors,elongated lamp means in said housing coextensive with said emissionaperture means, endless belt means intermediate said lamp means and saidemission aperture means within said housing, and drive means mountingand adapted to effect translation of said belt means with respect tosaid emission aperture means, said belt means being comprised of aplurality of symmetrically disposed adjacent transmittance bands ofmaterials having respectively selected spectral transrnittancecharacteristics, said transmittance bands and said emission aperturemeans being mutually parallel and being disposed askew of the axis oftranslation of the said endless belt means.

10. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said light sourcecomprises a plurality of elongated lamp means uniformly mounted withrespect to said reflectors, said lamp means having respectivelypredetermined spectral emission characteristics and being adapted to beselectively energized.

11. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein in said illuminating meanssaid radiant means includes photoluminescent indicia means; said lightsource includes a spectral emission of the ultra-violet through visibleblue portion of the spectrum; and said light conducting panel comprisesan inner transmittance layer adjacent the said obverse surface of saidone reflecting element capable of transmitting said visible blue andultra-violet portion of the spectrum and an outer transmittance layerselectively opaque to the said visible blue and ultra-violet portion ofthe spectrum.

12. The invention defined in claim 11, wherein said light sourcecomprises fluorescent lamp means and said inner transmittance layer isselectively opaque to substantially all but the said visible blue andultra-violet portion of the spectrum.

13. The invention defined in claim 11, wherein in said illuminatingmeans said radiant means further includes light reflecting means; saidlight source comprises lamp means adapted to alternately emit only saidultra-violet and visible blue portion of the spectrum and then otherthan that portion of the spectrum effecting respectively alternateradiation of light through said light conducting panel by saidphotoluminescent indicia means and said light reflecting means.

14. The invention defined in claim 13, wherein said illuminating meansfurther includes second indicia means on the obverse surface of saidlight conducting panel.

15. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein the other of saidreflecting elements includes a plurality of open apertures selectivelydirecting light from said source externally of said illuminating means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,920,826 8/1933 wing 49-130 X2,524,657 10/1950 Ford 40-130 2,623,313 12/1952 Fuchs 40-13() 2,722,7621l/l955 Krajian 40-130 2,731,333 1/1956 K0 et al. 40-130 2,906,0489/1959 Kraus 40-130 LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner.

